The Beatles : Help (2/2)

This is another stunning Beatles' record I am selling.  This very first mono pressing plays with fantastic clarity and the majority plays 'as new'.  It also comes complete with a super clean 'Patents Pending' cover - just look at the back!

First Mono 2/2 pressing on Yellow/Black label.  'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge with 'Sold in U.K. subject' text also.  First label variation with a space between the You and the * on 'I Need You *.'  Also on the S2 label the second line starts with NCB and not BIEM and 'Yesterday' is at the start of the line. One later pressings NCB start the line.

The KT tax stamp is on the S1 label.

G&L laminated cover with outline 'mono' on the front

PMC 1255 // XEX 549 - 2 / XEX 550 - 2 // RRH 5 / RMH 5

The audio on S1 is Mint- (majority is Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (tracks 1 - 4 are Mint)

The cover is Ex++

The original Emitex sleeve is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  This is visually stunning and is without doubt the best first pressing of this LP that I have ever seen.  It is immaculate and at first glance it just looks 'as new'!  It is only on closer inspection that you can detect a small number of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines only.  They are very difficult to spot!  It has no groove wear, no radial lines and certainly no scratches.  It has a pristine glossy sheen and there is not a great deal of spindle wear either.  This is one of the most beautiful examples of this album that you are ever likely to see.  Superb cover also!

Play grading

'Help!' plays with superb clarity from the first note and with only a couple of mega light static sounds it grades as Mint- the quality is stunning.  There are no clicks or pops, basically no intrusive interference at all.  'The Night Before' is of very similar quality with only a small number of mega light dust ticks and there is no distortion on the top end.  I always love the production values on this LP and on a well preserved vinyl such as this they really stand out.  The depth of the recording and the strong bass line are superb, each note plays so cleanly.  'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' is very possibly the cleanest version I have ever heard on a first pressing.  It plays with incredible definition and there is no 'background', not even a dust tick!  This is Mint I am confident in saying and I do not over-grade as my feedback confirms.  'I Need You' is very near perfect and again plays with wonderful clarity.  There is only a touch of light static on the top end here and there but it is so minimal and so quiet and does not interfere with the stunning audio.  The three other tracks on the side impress with 'high end' quality again.  I will say that 'Ticket To Ride' has a little more distortion but, as I always say, this is the final track and is always affected in this way.  There are no clicks or pops on this side and what is impressive is that there complete silence in the dead wax between every track, an good indication of the sublime clarity on offer here.

'Act Naturally' is quite simply Mint from beginning to end.  I cannot adequately describe the immense quality of the audio here - it plays 'as new' I cannot praise it highly enough.  Incredibly 'It's Only Love' plays to the same breathtaking standard.  Wow this side is stunning so far!  For fear of being repetitive 'You Like Me Too Much' is of the same quality.  It can't be too often that a first pressing from 1965 plays as cleanly as this!  This superb clarity and depth continues throughout the side with only a minimal amount of distortion on the top end as you progress but it is in no way intrusive.  The classic 'Yesterday' plays with stunning quality from the very start.  No crackle and just one faint 'tick'.  The remainder plays in sublime fashion with only a minimal amount of mega light static here and there.  Again it does not intrude on the quality of the listen and remains a fantastic listen.  'Dizzy Miss Lizzy' ends the album in true rock 'n' roll style and plays extremely well.  A little distortion yes but a lot less than on many versions I have heard.

In summary this first pressing plays with superlative quality for a genuine first pressing and qualifies as a final upgrade archive copy in my opinion.  You would be hard pressed to find a better vinyl than this - I refuse to use 'impossible to find' etc!  It is visually so clean and the audio more than matches that.  As can be seen the cover has also retained its original look so well and is a fantastic example of its kind.

The Cover

This is a fantastic example of this G & L laminated cover and rarely have I seen one so clean.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no shelf wear and are 'as new'.  The spine really is in superb condition and still has that strong untouched look.  There is hardly any corner wear and only the top two have a tiny barely visible crease line and the opening edge has very little handling wear.  The front cover is in sublime condition and has no marking, it has retained its original 'white' colour incredibly well and there is also no splitting or lifting of the laminate.  The back cover is in very similar condition, just look at the photos!  The flipbacks are so clean and have none of the staining that you so often see.  There are just a couple of minor marks but as you can see this it really is super clean!  This has to be one of the most impressive 'Patents Pending' first press covers around today.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve is in great shape and has no splits or tears and only very minor creasing.

The labels

They have lost none of their original colour and remain in fantastic condition with no marking or writing.  There is also not too much spindle wear - very little on S1 and only a little more on S2.  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!